A Fragrance Museum in a Monastery

I had purchased Santa Maria Novella fragrances online before, but when I visited Florence, I made a point to visit the flagship store. It's truly a place worth seeing with your own eyes, much like many of Italy's historical sites. It feels more like an art museum that delights both the sense of smell and sight rather than just a perfume shop. 🌸 The SMN flagship store was originally a monastery. Monks began cultivating herbs and making ointments and perfumes here 800 years ago. It is said that the coronation perfume of Queen Catherine de' Medici was custom-made by the perfumers here. The frescoes on the ceilings are incredibly exquisite, exuding a strong Renaissance vibe. Combined with the abundance of fresh flowers, the atmosphere is both artistic and romantic. It's worth a visit even if you don't plan to buy anything. 🎨 Regarding the products, they offer perfumes, skincare, body care, and home fragrances. I got the 30ml Angeli de Firenze (Florence Angels) and Fresia (Freesia) perfumes. As someone with rhinitis, I prefer these fresh, everyday scents that don't clash with my other perfumes. (PS: I watched the new version of *Ripley* last week and saw a seamless product placement of SMN perfume, which made me feel even more confident about my purchase.) 🌹 For skincare, I bought the highly recommended rose water. I was attracted by the packaging of the monastery cream and essence and decided to give them a try. The essence feels nice on the skin—refreshing and moisturizing, with SMN's signature rose scent. I haven't tried the cream yet, so it remains to be seen. 🌹 If you're looking for souvenirs, I highly recommend their fragrance wax tablets. They're perfect for hanging in your wardrobe. Available in different scents from the same series as the perfumes, they are beautiful, lightweight, and ideal for gifting. 🎁 #smnperfume #santamarianovella #florenceexploration #nicheperfume #florencetravel #recommendations #dailyaesthetics #holidaycitywalk